The Android 5.0 L update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 will be officially released to the public later this year, but, for the time being, Google didn’t reveal when will begin the roll out of the new incremental update. We believe that we can make a fairly accurate estimation regarding the Android 5.0 L release date based on Google’s previous launches.

As you may know, in the last couple of years Google released major Android updates twice a year: one mid-summer and the other one mid-to-late-fall. Each time a new incremental Android update was released new Nexus hardware was also introduced. Well, things will be a bit different for Google this year, as they seem to be doing the Android 5.0 L release Apple-style.

Apple made a habit out of introducing new iOS versions in the summer at WWDC, test them for several months, then make them available for public in the fall, when their new iPhone is usually announced. Google’s strategy will be similar. They officially announced Android L in June at Google I/O 2014 and made it available as Developer Preview for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7. If the pattern checks out, the new Android iteration will be released for the supported devices sometime late-October or early-November, when new Nexus devices are expected to see the light of day.

You probably heard a few months ago that Google is readying a new Nexus-like project called Android Silver. These rumors pushed many analysts and fans into believing that the Nexus program will be ditched. Fortunately, a Google representative dismissed the rumors saying that Nexus is nearing death. Soon after the rumors have been put to rest, reports of a new Nexus tablet surfaced online. Moreover, we’ve recently heard some details of a Nexus 6 smartphone. If the reports prove true, the tablet codenamed Volantis will be manufactured by HTC and will have an 8.9-inch screen, while the next-gen Nexus smartphone will sport a 5.9-inch screen and it will be manufactured by Motorola. The Nexus 6 is reportedly codenamed Shamu. Either way, we are 100% confident that the two new devices will run Android 5.0 L out of the box.

So what about the official name of the new Android iteration? I’m glad you’ve asked. So far, each major Android release was named after a dessert and had a specific version number based on the amount of important changes it introduced. It’s obvious that, given the large number of improvements, Android L will be actually Android 5.0 L. As for the dessert name, most sources say it will be either Lollipop or Licorice.

There’s no arguing that Android 5.0 L is the biggest update in Android’s history. It’s even bigger than the jump from Gingerbread to Ice Cream Sandwich. In my opinion, the new Material Design philosophy is the biggest change brought by the new update. The interface got friendlier, has more colors, more animations, and everything is more intuitive courtesy of 3D effects and shadows. I am sure that anyone who got their hands on Android L Developers Preview would agree with me. Furthermore, the overall system performance will get a boost, now that the obsolete Dalvik runtime has been replaced with ART and that the 64-bit processors are supported by the OS.

Android 5.0 L also brings changes to the notifications bar and lock screen. The latter one is now displaying notifications and also allows you to interact with them. Furthermore, the lock screen notifications are prioritized based on how frequent you interact with them.

You might also notice that the notifications bar now has a new color scheme while the Quick Settings button is gone. If you want to access the Quick Settings menu you will have to swipe down once to bring up the notifications bar, then swipe once more to show Quick Settings. The Quick Settings toggles also received some changes. You will now be able to find shortcuts for WiFi, Mobile Network, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode, Do Not Disturb, Sound Rotation Lock, and Location. The screen brightness is now controlled via a slider, while “Auto Brightness” has been replaced by “Adaptive Brightness.”

In Android 5.0 L the status bar received a makeover, too. While staying transparent in home and lock screens, the status bar is capable of changing its color based on the app running on the screen, so the status bar and the app’s action bar can have the same color. Anyway, developers will have to change their apps in order to bring a unified visual experience.

Changes have been applied to the multitasking screen, as well. It now brings a card-based interface which is a reminiscent of Chrome’s opened tabs menu. Therefore, the running apps are stacked one over another and certain apps are allowed to display more than one card in the multitasking screen. The Settings menu also got new functionality and it now allows you to find a particular option using the new search bar.

There’s no doubt that the Android 5.0 L update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 will be the first to hit the users. These devices will be followed shortly after by the Google Play Experience smartphones and tablets and by Motorola’s smartphones. Of course, unless Motorola changes their good habit of bringing speedy software updates. HTC and OnePlus were the first manufacturers to announce that some of their devices will receive the Android 5.0 L update within 90 days after Google sends in the final code. Samsung, LG, and Sony will probably roll out the update for their supported devices late 2014 or early 2015.

Do you have any favorite Android 5.0 L features? What are your expectations from the new Android iteration? Please let us know in comments.

>These rumors pushed many analysts and fans into believing that the Nexus program will be ditched. Fortunately, a Google representative dismissed the rumors saying that Nexus is nearing death.
Proofread, please. This doesn’t make any sense.

Mak Nation

It is worded correctly. Dismissed the rumors SAYING THAT NEXUS IS NEARING DEATH.

If it read saying “nexus is nearing death” then it would be wrong.

Do you even grammar?

PhineasJW

McGee is correct — that sentence is mixing past and present verbs, which is why it’s difficult to read.

An alternative version:

“Fortunately a Google representative dismissed the rumors that said the Nexus was nearing death.”

Mak Nation

You’re both retarded.

PhineasJW

Brilliant retort. You win at life.

Mak Nation

Winning at life? For knowing how to read? Your expectations are pretty low.

spectrewriter

actually it’s 100% correct. According to rules of grammar if it were as you suggest there would be a comma.

could have been raised better? Yes, it could have. but it is grammatically correct.

Yes,you can always root the phone and install android L if it’s not released.Anyway Android L developer version is already released for Nexus 4 so..

Jason Grady

It wasn’t released for the nexus 4. It was released for the nexus 7 and 5 and ported to the 4 and the 1st gen Nexus 7.

mianbarray

A 5.9 inch Nexus phone sounds way too big, the max I would like is the LG3 sized phone. I have been anxiously waiting for nexus 6 but if it’s 5.9 inch, I won’t be buying it.

Aracely B

I agree, I’ve been looking forward to this phone but at 5.9 inch, that’s a phablet, not my thing. I would not purchase it either.

H19966

Yeah. I need a new phone, and I was hoping that the Nexus 6 would be an upgraded Nexus 5 with the same screen size and build quality. But a phablet? Way to go, Google. Looks like I need to get a N5 before they all run out.

dipak g

When update my nexus 4 in 5.0 L

Deleon808

Not a fan of the phablet genre, but would be very interested to see Motorola’s take on it. Have a N4, love it but battery life is getting to be a bother and I know Motorola does great in that area.

Obvious Oscar

Clickbait. Please refrain.

-99% of people

bulldurham

People assumed the Nexus was being ditched when the leak of the Silver program came out. Even though there is no evidence that it is even a real thing. Nexus can not go past Nexus 6 because there is already a Nexus 7 (not a smart move on Googles part) so they are bouncing around alternative names instead if using numbers. They used sweets for android and have used fish for unreleased equipment. Maybe it will be precious metals for nexus models. The press needs to stop creating false hype to get viewers and the public needs to think about it before jumping to conclusions.

Guest

Large screen is needed for entertainment and for information browsing.
But phone must fit into your pocket, preferably along with other minor things, like comb or bottle opener.

Problem!
Phablet is a joke of an answer to this challenge.

Future google glass type devises would resolve this contradiction, with small actual smartphone sitting in the pocket and “Bluetoothed” glasses creating personal impression of the device of any size up to huge movie theater screens.

Pls stop the N6 rumours

This’story’ is essentially a patchwork quilt, passed on from day to day with small addition made. A small child.. living in Africa.. who has never seen or used a smartphone! Could I’m sure speculate that a Nexus 6 would have a slightly bigger screen, a slightly faster processor and slightly more memory than a Nexus 5. Do we really need another 90 days of this? Noone has a clue what the next Nexus well be like. More interestingly, why does Google Now keep putting these stories up for me?

TheJunkie

How about bringing KitKat yo the rest of the devices first?? I’m getting tired of ics

bebsy

Blame your manufacturer for that, not google.
The phone companies insist on modifying the OS to their liking before letting you have it.

H19966

Don’t complain at Google. The OEM that made your phone is to blame. It’s their job to upgrade their useless skin of Android. If you want assured upgrades, with pure, unadulterated Android, get a real Google phone, like a Nexus 5.

vijay

I agree..

Bryan Trevitt

What’s with the grammar police in every thread nowadays its kinda petty like “oooo I don’t agree with your point so I’m gonna make fun of your grammatical skills” its pretty sad.

MarkN

I agree. We all want our opinions to be taken seriously. When they are not the juvenile in some of us comes out. Who here has not been guilty of grammatical errors at some point in their lives.

jaybee85

Please be 5.9 inches!!! I love the nexus line but I’ve become accustomed to large screens. I can’t wait!!

richard massey

This is the most retarded heap of click bait conjecture I’ve ever read. This is what’s wrong with the internet. “Articles” like this will be the end of the web as we know it.

bulldurham

It’s kind of funny that nobody is even considering that shamu may be the android silver phone and HTC will be building the Nexus 6 based on the next HTC One variant.

Justin Letandre

I relly want them to put a dual screen mode in the android L update. I use it alot in the LG G3. Inrooted my nexus 4 justbto get the dual screen mode.